Roswell Award 2021

Andrea Goyan, a California writer, is the winner of 2021 Roswell Award for short science fiction by adults. During the May 22 online ceremony celebrity guests read the six finalists’ stories before the first, second, and third place winners were revealed.

THE ROSWELL AWARD for original short science fiction from writers worldwide

FIRST PLACE

  • “Imagine Dandelions” by Andrea Goyan (California, USA)

SECOND PLACE

  • “Biomimicry” by Ven Pillay (South Africa)

THIRD PLACE

  • “Realtiger” by Susan Wachowski (Illinois, USA)

OTHER FINALISTS

  • “The Rite to Vote” by Matthew Cushing (Connecticut, USA)
  • “Autonomous” by Ben Hennesy (USA/Tanzania)
  • “Run” by Tenzin Phillips (South Africa)

Also announced during today’s ceremony:

THE WOMEN HOLD UP HALF THE SKY AWARD for original short feminist themed science fiction

WINNER

  • “Never Turn Your Back on the Water” by Courtney Watson (Virginia, USA)

OTHER FINALISTS

  • “Yes” by Marie Cartier (California, USA)
  • “Unfrozen” by Libby Marshall (Illinois, USA)
  • “Fish Hunting Fish” by Archie Nicholson (Canada)
  • “Virgintillion” by Anna O’Brien (Maryland, USA)
  • “The Shadows of the Baobabs Fall Long” by Bailey Sweatman (Texas, USA)

The Women Hold Up Half the Sky Award, a special feminist-themed award, is co-presented by the feminist publication Artemis Journaand KPFK’s Feminist Magazine radio show. The first place winner was also presented with a free online course from the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.

Featured celebrity guests for The Roswell Award readings included: LaMonica Garrett (Arrow, Dc’s Legends Of Tomorrow), Ruth Connell (SUPERNATURAL), Nana Visitor (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Phil Lamarr (Samurai Jack, Futurama), Tiffany Lonsdale-Hands (Siren), Kari Wahlgren (Rick And Morty), and David Blue (Stargate Universe).

Finalist judges for The Roswell Award were: Author Steven Barnes (Lion’s Blood, The New Twilight Zone), paleontologist Alyssa Bell (Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Dinosaur Institute), author Wesley Chu (The Lives Of Tao, The Walking Dead: Typhoon), author and engineer S.B. Divya (Runtime, Escape Pod), author Rebecca Moesta (Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights, Star Wars: Junior Jedi Knights), writer and director Philippe Mora (Communion, Continuity), author Larry Niven (Ringworld, The Integral Trees).

The Omega Sci-Fi Awards is a nonprofit program founded in 2014 by Sci-Fest L.A. that aims to recognize and encourage emerging sci-fi writers, and Light Bringer Project, a Pasadena-based nonprofit arts and education organization. The awards ceremony is hosted in conjunction with LitFest Pasadena 2021.

There’s a GoFundMe raising support for the Omega Sci-Fi Awards 2022.